I've just met a girl called Maria

The tricky issue of work wear is perennial one. The Invisible Woman knows that the problem of retaining one's sense of self in the workplace is hard, and often clothes are the only way to accurately express who you are while navigating the world of broken printers, tedious vending machine chat and never-ending meetings. With this in mind, it was with sympathy that our IW watched Maria O'Connor make one bad wardrobe decision after another in her bid to not get fired during this season's run of The Apprentice. "Poor Maria," she writes. "As soon as she stepped into Lord Sugar's boardroom in electric purple frills and neon eye shadow she might as well have had "you're fired" stamped on her forehead. Never mind that she fell asleep in the car, or had the tact and diplomacy of a smack in the ear with a brick, it was her penchant for purple and animal prints that did it".

Yawn

There are certain trends that you just know will never trickle down from catwalk to consumer. Marc Jacobs' enormous hats from his autumn/winter 2012 collection spring to mind. But others catch everyone by surprise by actually catching on. "When printed silky trousers and matching shirts with a distinctly bedtime look first started appearing on the catwalks six months ago on gawky young models, the most generous of bookmakers would have given you odds of 500-1 that the look would take off in real life," wrote Imogen Fox. "But now, retailers at the commercial end of trend-watching will tell you that the odds on the PJ look taking off are considerably shorter." The reason for this is simple enough: it's a flattering look, and one that doesn't discriminate when it comes to age. Have a look at some of Guardian fashion's suggestions for how to get with the trend, assuming you haven't already.

The Shiseido look created for Marc by Marc Jacobs A/W 2012

Marc Jacobs is about to get to work on your face

"Clearly not content with three fashion lines and 10 fragrances to his name, designer Marc Jacobs has announced his first foray into the world of cosmetics," writes Anna Chesters. "Still at the early planning stages and with no launch date as yet, all we really know about this new venture is that Jacobs will be working with beauty giants Sephora to produce the range." Unfortunately no clear sign of what to expect, but Anna reckons that "we could be looking at flawless skin with bold fashionable statements thrown in for fun", as shown in the image above. When, where, what - these are question we have no answer for, but we're rubbing our hands in glee all the same!

Mad Men: back for a new season. Photograph: Lionsgate

The slicked-back look that refuses to die

While we're on the subject of Ms Chesters (sort of), our beauty blogger captured the essence of a certain slicked-backed look that has been reprised with the launch of Mad Men season 5. "Keeping quiffs neatly in place since 1928, Brylcreem is an iconic product of men's hair styling. Founded in Birmingham by County Chemicals, it was created as hair cream that was originally only sold to barbers," she writes in this week's A Brief History of ... column. "Men flocked to Brylcreem in droves to recreate that clean, smart hairstyle that was the fashion at the time. And that not-a-hair-out-of-place look remained the fashion for another couple of decades – rather handy for Brylcreem." If it ain't broke, then it certainly doesn't need fixing.

Get your coat, it's spring

It's time to think about shrugging off the wool and get with some breathable fabrics. Yes, spring is here. Sort of. And thus, the great coat debate begins. Where to get one? What style to go for? Jesus, what colour?! Priscilla Kwateng, the Guardian's stylist, put together a top 10 spring jackets for women gallery this week. Have a look. You might find something you like.

Who's your style icon?

Yvette Cooper. Photograph: Stephen Simpson / Rex Features

Alexandra Shulman has been everywhere this week, because the British Vogue editor has a book out and is therefore happy to talk. A lot. Among the revelations, including the news that Jennifer Aniston will never make it on the style bible cover because she demands copy approval, is that Shulman would love to get Yvette Cooper on the front of her magazine. Guardian fashion has a long-held soft spot for the shadow home secretary and would absolutely love to see this happen. Sadly, we imagine Yvette has other things to do with her time.